you missed the most important info, the dosbox version, please tell...

the latest.... 0.63

The next dosbox version should be able to run descent with the
dynamic core, where it should run smooth.

For the enter-problem: delete the files dosbox.conf and mapper.txt,
and try it again, does this change something?

ok, the problems with enter have been fixed, thanks!

The SFX/music sound just like on my old P1 machine...but the skipping is horrible!
CPU still at 60% but the skipping gets worse as I increase the cycles!

Are you using a dual-core processor? If so, dosbox can only use 50% of the total CPU time, as it can only use one core.

Btw, there is a windows port of Descent (1&2 together), but I think you do need Descent 2 to be able to use it at all. http://www.descent2.de/d2x.html

Alternatively, download a cvs version of dosbox like the one at http://ykhwong.x-y.net/page.htm . This will be faster, and will work with the dynamic core. It makes descent *barely* playable on my P3-1.15Ghz. 😀

Aah, I just noticed your cpu has hyperthreading, which windows treats as dual-core,, so that's why the 60% cpu usage.

Lofty- you're the MAN

I downloaded the CVS build from that link, and now it runs Descent like a charm, with high framerate, good sound, and get this- it uses 20% of the CPU tops!
I enabled dynamic core, and cranked up the cycles all the way to 22000.

Problem solved.
Thanks for your quick replies.

This probably comes too late, but oh well I'm slow. FOR ALL GAMES with slow choppy graphics. Crank those cycles. Use D-Fend frontend for dosbox. Set-up profile with memory at 64, which is the max requirement for most of these games anyway, and ddraw rendering. Open <Game Name>.conf, in the D-Fend confs folder, in notepad or whatever. Copy these over your existing settings:
For speed:

[cpu]
core=dynamic
cycles=125000
cycleup=1000
cycledown=1000

for Sound:

[mixer]
nosound=false
rate=44100
blocksize=2048
prebuffer=10

[midi]
mpu401=intelligent
intelligent=true
device=default
config=

[sblaster]
type=sb16
base=220
irq=5
dma=1
hdma=1
mixer=true
oplmode=auto
oplrate=44100
sbtype=sb16
sbbase=220

this works for me, you might have to change your dmas or irq. I think it's usually this, maybe not. Hope this helps somebody. Descent STILL RULES!

Use dosbox 0.65 and set core=dynamic and cycles=auto.
And leave the memsize at the standard 16mb unless noted
otherwise or you know what you're doing.

Tried this already?

http://www.descent2.de/d2x.html

the sourceport if you turn off coloured lighting is rather good.